National Standard for Normal Fetal Growth

The National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intends to solicit proposals from qualified organizations to conduct a multicenter prospective, observational study: (1) to establish a U.S. national standard for normal fetal growth (velocity) and size for gestational age; (2) to create an individualized standard for optimal fetal growth; and (3) to improve accuracy of fetal weight estimation.

This study will recruit 2,400 healthy, low risk pregnant women and 600 obese women from up to 4 clinical centers. The sample will be divided equally among four self-identified race/ethnicity groups: African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanics. Women will be recruited in the first trimester and followed up through pregnancy. Each woman will receive 5 scheduled ultrasound exams, which include 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimentinoal (3D) fetal anthropometric measurements. Uterine artery and fetal Doppler studies will be performed at selected gestational weeks. After delivery, neonatal anthropometric measures will be carefully taken. Obstetric and neonatal information will be extracted from medical charts. Blood samples will be collected at enrollment, at 16 to 18 weeks, 24 to 28 weeks in all subjects and at 6 weeks postpartum in selected subjects. Placental tissues will be collected in selected subjects.



NICHD anticipates awarding up to four cost reimbursement, completion type contracts with a 3-year period of performance beginning on or about August 11, 2008. RFP- NIH-NICHD-DESPR-2008-24 will be available electronically on or about February 1, 2008 . You can access the RFP through the FedBizOpps (URL: http://www.fedbizopps.gov) Please note that the NICHD does not intend to release hard copies of the RFP. Responses to the RFP will be due on or about March 3, 2008. NICHD will consider proposals submitted by any responsible offeror. This advertisement does not commit the government to award a contract. The NICHD also reserves the right to cancel the requirement at any time prior to contract award. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile or email transmissions will be accepted.



This acquisition has been designated as a full and open competition under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712. Any questions concerning this announcement must be submitted in writing to Elizabeth Osinski, Contracting Officer, at eo43m@nih.gov. The secondary point of contact is Jacqueline Holden, Contracting Officer, at 301-435-6964. No collect calls will be accepted. This is not an RFP and this announcement does not commit the Government to award a contract. The RFP No. is NIH-NICHD-DESPR-08-24. All correspondence must cite the RFP Number.